Track lubricating apparatus



Nov. 10, 1931. MCGARRY 1,831,313

TRACK LUBRICATING APPARATUS Filed April 10, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l IN V EN TOR. 7W 9 ATTbRNEY.

Nov. 10, 1931. .1. T. MCGARRY TRACK LUBRIQATING APPARATUS 2 Shets-Sheet' 2 Filed April 10, 1928 ATTORNEY.

- automatic and economical" application of Patented Nov. 10, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 'J'OHN T. IOGABRYQOF CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERICAN VALVE AND METER COMPANY, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO TRACK LUBRICATING APPARATUS Application filed April 10,

stantially the intersection of the wheel flange with the wheel tread. Another object is to provide means for separating the wheelflanges from the rail just before entering a curve in the track in order that a lubricant may be introduced between the separated rail and wheel flange and the lubricant then distributed by the wheel'flanges along the curved section of the track. Another object is to provide improved means to automatically ap p y lubricant to the flanges of car wheels when the car wheels are about t'o'enter curved track sections. Another object is to provide for holding any lubricant which may not become attached to the flange of one car wheel in position where it may be engaged and become attached to the flange of a following car wheel, so as to economically apply lubricant to the curved track sections. My invention also comprises certain details of form and arrangement, and combination of components,

all of which will be fully set forth in the description of the accompanying drawings, in which: M Fig. 1 is a plan of a section of railway track with my improvements ap lied thereto. v

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectlonal detail of the automatic lubricant feeding apparatus.

3 is an enlarged sectional detail taken on line 3-? of Fig. 1.

Where the wheels of the rolling stock travel over curved sections of railway track, the flanges of-the wheel's upon the outside of the curves are crowded by inertia against the inside of the rail, and unless the side of the rail is properly lubricated, the face of the flanges, and also the side of the rail are rapidly worn ;away. Originally the .rails at the curves were manually lubricated from time to time,

but this is an expensive, and also an unreliable method. My invention contemplates the lubricant as each wheel approaches the curved track "to that portion ot the flange of the wheel from which the lubricant can and will 1928. Serial no. 268,955.

be most efliciently and reliably distributed over the inside edge of the outer rail from the commencement to the termination of the curve. I

The accompanying drawings illustrate one embodiment of my invention in which 15 and 16 represent the respective rails of one-half of a double or one way railway track including a section of curved track and a short section of straight track serving as an'approach to the curved section. Opposite the straight tracksections serving as an approach to the curve are mounted guard-rail sections 17 and 18. whichare designed to and serve to crowd i or direct the flanges of wheels traveling upon the rails 15 on the outside of the curve away from the ed e of the rail 15 and to crowd the flanges of wheels t aveling upon the rail 16 upon the inside of the curve toward the edge of the rail 16'. By crowding the flanges of the wheels away from the rail 15'an increased space between the flange and side of the rail is and face of the wheel tread meet or intersect as indicated in Fig. 2. The guard rail 18 is of the usual cross-sectional pattern and is -clamped to and spaced relatively close to the rail 16 so as to crowd the flange 22 of the wheel 23 close to the rail 16. The guard rail 17 is preferably of a cross-sectional pattern having a rib 27 forming groove 24 to receive the flanges 25 of the wheel 26, and is located a suflirientdistance from the rail 15 so as to provide a space 28' between the rib 27 and.

the edge of the rail 15 of suflicient width to enable the end of the lubricant conduit 20 to enter this space 28.,and supnlv lubricant to the throat 48 of the'flanges of the wheels, where it is mosteflicieiitly utilized. It is also designed that any lubricant which may be fed from the delivery end of the conduit 20 and not immediately attached to the wheel flange and carriedfaway shall fall into a groove 49 or. into the groove 24, andbeheld in the groove 49 or groove 24 in position to .be

brought in contact with the flange of a subsequent wheel and attached thereto, and apnv convenient position adjacent thereto.

The upper end of a pump plunger rod 30 projects up into the groove 24 in position to be enga ed by the flange of each car wheel traveling along the rail 15 and depressed tberebv. The pump plunger rod 30 is resilient y he d in its elevated position by means of a spri g 31., and its lower end exte ds down ardly preferablv into a casing 33 at one side of reservoir where it is attached to a m plunger reci rocating in the p mp .cv inder 33. and serving totalre lubricant from the lubrica t re ervo r through a supply port 34. and to dischar' e'lubr cant From the m cvl de hr u h th e it port 52 to he iqchnIQ'P conduit 20 and thence to a position to adhe e to the car whee fl nges nd thereb be distr buted upon the e ge of the curved section of rail to lubricate the side of H10 raiL In o er th at. t e lubricant may he m tered or re blv re eased 'in relatively ma l o ant ies From time to time as mav be requ red to lubri te the ra l c rv s. and to avoi release of anv con derable amount of lubri-v cant th ou h a trai or car com ng to rest u o the tra k over the guard rails a d pum plunger rod so as to hold the plunger rod de ressed for a considerab e period f time, or through failure of the plunger rod to return to its up er pos tion. or any abnormal o eration liable to discharge an excess of or. fa lure of the lubricating apparatus to function throu h premature exhaustion of its supplv of lubricant. special lubricant releasing or meterin apparatus is employed. As illustrated in Fi 3. the plunger or piston 32 is rig d upon the plunger rod 30. and the 11pward movement of the plunger rod is limited bv the collar 92 thereonengaging a-stop 53 on the threaded cap 54. In its elevated po sition the piston 32 uncovers the lubricant supply port 34 al owing lubricant from the storage reservoir 29 to flow in and fill a chamber 55 within the casing 33 and between the piston 32 and a floating piston 56, which is movable vertically upon the plunger rod 3() below the p ston 32. and is in substantial equilibrium between the downward thrust of a coiled spring 57 located upon the plunger rod between the pistons 32 and 56. and the upward thrust of a coiled spring 58 below the piston 56, and between piston 58 and the lower, end of the casing 33. When the piston 32 is in its elevated position the piston 56 is also in its elevated position and serves to close the exitport 52, and prevent escape of lubricant from the storage reservoir 29 through the port 34 and chamber 55 to the conduit 20; When a car or train passes over the rails 15 and 16, the flanges 25 of the wheels depress the plunger rod 30 and plunger 32, which first closes the lubricant supply port 34, and then through the descent of the piston 32, and interposed lubricant and spring 57, forces the piston 56 downwardly until it rests upon the annular stop 60, thereby uncovering the exit port 52, and allowing the piston to force the lubricant from chamber 55 into con duit 20.

As soon as the wheel flange 25 passes the plunger rod 30, and the plunger 32 commences to rise, the plunger 56 also rises and covers the port 52 before the port 34 is uncovered by the piston 32, thereb preventing adirect or continued flow of In ricant from the storage reservoir 29 to the port 52, even though the lubricant in the reservoir is under pressure. The above described lubricant releasing apparatus is capable of considerable modification so long as a direct flow or escape of lubricant from the reservoir 29, to the exit conduit 20 is prevented and provision is made for delivering a relatively small quantity of lubricant from the storage reservoir to the deliver conduit 20, at each actuation of the plunger rod or equivalent member.

In order that the lubricant may bereliably and quickly discharged from the storage reservoir 29 into the chamber 55, under practically all conditions of use I preferably also provide an air pump cylinder 65, an air pump plunger 67, and an air pump plunger rod 68,

the upper end of which rod extends into the oove 24 in position to be depressed or actuated by the flanges 25 of the wheels passing along the rail 15. A spring 69 serves to hold the pump plunger rod 68 normally in its elevated position. Air taken from theatmosphere into the pump cylinder through a conduit 70 and intake valve 71. Air is ejected from the pump cylinder 65 under pressure past the air exit valve 74 into the upper portion of the lubricant reservoir 29 above the lubricant therein through a conduit 72 to exert a pressure above that of the atmosphere upon the lubricant in the reservoir 29,to thereby assist in more rapidly and reliably feedin lubricant from the reservoir 29 throug the port 34 into the pump chamber 55, particularly when a stiff or heavy and slow moving lubricant is employed, or whenthe lubricant is rendered stiff and slow moving due to the low temperatures thereof. I

A branch 84 of lubricant delivery conduit 20 serves to conduct a portion of the lubricant over to the edge of the guard rail 18 and discharged in position to cause the lubricant to adhere to the flanges 22 of the wheels 23, and to be thereby distributed along the edge of 5 the guard rail 18 nearest to the main rail 16, to thereby reduce friction and wear between the flanges 22 and guard rails 18. As illustrated, the end of the conduit is introduced into a perforation 85 in the guard rail 18, so as to discharge the lubricant directly against the flanges 22. This maybe variously modified however.

I preferably introduce a strip 88 of soft metal, wood or similar material into the space 28 at opposite sides of the conduit 20, and between the flange 27 of guard rail 17, and the main rail 15, and form along narrow channel or channels 49 in the upper edge of the strip 88 to primarily receive and hold the lubricant overflow from the conduit 20 in position to apply the lubricant as an elongated dab to the throat 48 of the flange of each passing wheel 26, to thereby more effectively distribute the lubricant to the curved section of the main rail 15.

The guard rails 17 and 18 are curved away from the main rails 15 and 16 at their opposite ends, and the ends of the rib 27 and groove 24 are tapered downwardly.

If desired more than one lubricant discharge conduit and lubricant pump may be located with reference to one guard-rail. The guard-rails are preferably spaced relative to the main rails by means of a series of spacer blocks 82 and said guard-rails and blocks 82 held in place relative to the main rails by means of bolts 83. A single two-way track would have lubricating apparatus at each end of a curve.

The .apparatus herein shown and described is capable of considerable modification within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

WhatI claim is:

1. Track lubricating apparatus comprising main rails, flanged wheels movable over said rails, a guard-rail located adjacent to one of said rails in position to fengage the flanges of successive wheels and direct the flanges of each pair of wheels away from one main rail and closer to the opposite mainrail, amember mounted stationarily against the side of one main rail and int'erposedbetween said main rail and the path traveled by the wheelflanges and provided with a lubricant discharge port adapted to feed a 111-" bricant to the throat of the flange of one of said pair of wheels while so separated from the main rail.

2. Track lubricating apparatus comprising main rails, flanged wheels movable over said rails, means to engage said wheels and to forcesaid wheels in pairs endwise of the axis of rotation of said wheels and direct the flanges 0t each pair of wheels away from one main rail and closer to the opposite main rail, a member mounted rigidly against the side of one main rail and interposed between said main rail and the wheel flange held away therefrom, said member being provided with a lubricant discharge port in position to feed a lubricant into contact with the throat of said wheel flange, and means actuated by the passage of said wheels along said rails to feed a lubricant through said rigidly mounted member into position to contact with the wheel flange.

3. Track lubricating apparatus comprising main rails, flanged wheels movable over saidrails, means to engage said-wheels and force said wheels in pairs endwise of the axis of rotation of said wheels and direct the flanges of each pair of wheels away from one main rail and closer to the opposite main'rail, a member mounted stationarily along the side of one of said main rails and interposed between the head of saidmain rail and the wheel flange spaced therefrom, said stationarily mounted member being provided at its upper edge with a lubricant exit port adapted to discharge lubricant in position to contact with the throat of said spaced wheel flange, and means to feed lubricant to and through said lubricant exit port.

4. Track lubricating apparatus comprising main rails, flanged wheels movable over.

said rails, a pair of guard-rails, located adjacent to said respective main rails in .position to engage the flanges of successive pairs of wheels and to direct the flange of one wheel closer to one main rail and the other flange away from the opposite main rail, and means to feed a measured quantity of'lubricant between one of said guard rails and the adjacent main rail into the space betweenthe wheel flange and the main rail and in position to contact with the flange of said wheel while separated-by said guard-rails from the main rail.

5. Track lubricating apparatus comprising main rails. flanged wheels movable over said rails, a pair of guard-rails located adjacent to said respective main rails in position to engage the. flanges of successive pairs of .wheels and to direct the flange of one wheel closer to one main rail and the other flange away from the opposite main rail, and means to feed a lubricant between one of said guard rails and the adjacent main rail into the space between the wheel flange and the main rail and in position to contact with the flange of said wheel while separated by said guardrailsfrom the main rail, one of said guard rails having aflchannel longitudinally'thereof for the passage of the wheel flange and adapted to catch and hold any lubricantwhich does not adhere to the wheel flange.

. 6. Track lubricating apparatus comprising main-rails, flangedwheels movable over said rails, a pair of guard-railslocated adjacent to said respective main rails in position to engage the flanges of successive pairs of wheels and to direct the flange of one wheel closer to one main rail and the other flange away from the opposite main rail, a lubricant storage reservoir, a lubricant pump adapted to pump lubricant from said storage reservoir, a lubricant discharge conduit adapted to feed the lubricant discharged by said lubricant pump into the space between one of said guard rails and the adjacent main rail and into position to contact with the flange of one of said wheels while held away from the main rail by said guard rail, and means actuated by the passage of said wheels to operate said lubricant pump.

7 Track lubricating apparatus comprising main rails, flanged wheels movable over said rails, a pair of guard-rails located adjacent to said respective main rails in position to engage the flanges of successive pairs of wheels and to direct the flange of one wheel closer to one main rail and the other flange away from the oppositemain rail, a lubricant storage reservoir, a lubricant pump adapted to meter and pump lubricant from said storage reservoir, a lubricant discharge conduit adapted to feed the lubricant discharged from said lubricant pump into the space between one of said guard rails and the adjacent main rail, and into position to contact with the flange of one of said wheels while held away from the main rail by said guard rails, an air-pump connected through its discharge conduit with said lubricant storage reservoir and adapted to maintain within said lubricant storage reservoir an air pressure in excess of normal atmospheric pressure, and means actuated by the passage of said wheels to operate said lubricant pump and said air pump.

8. Track lubricating apparatus comprising main rails, flanged wheels movable over said rails, a pair of guard-rails located adjacent to said respective main rails in position to engage the flanges of successive pairs of wheels and to direct the flange of one wheel closer to one main rail and the other flange away from the opposite main rail, a lubricant storage reservoir, a lubricant metering and releasing member adapted to release a measured quantity of lubricant from said storage reservoir at each operation, a lubricant discharge conduit adapted to feed the discharge lubricant into the space between one of said guard-rails and the adjacent main rail and into position to contact with the flange of one of said wheels while held away from the main rail by said guard rail, and means to actuate said lubricant releasing member at intervals.

9. Track lubricating apparatus comprising main rails, flanged wheels movable over said rails, a guardrail located adjacent to one of said main rails in position to engage the flanges of successive wheels and direct the flanges of each pair of wheels away .from one main rail and closer to the opposite main rail, a lubricant receiving channel located between one of said guard rails and its adjacent main rail, a lubricant metering and releasing means adapted to discharge a measured quantity of lubricant into said receiving channel in position to contact with the flange of 'ply from saidreservoir while said pump is being actuated, alubricant discharge conduit leading from said pump to said guard rail to lubricate the flange faces in engagement with said guard rail and a lubricant discharge conduit from said pump adapted to discharge lubricant into the space between said main rail and the wheel flange held by said guard rail spaced therefrom and into position to contact with the throat portion of said spaced wheel flange, and means to intermittently actuate said pump.

11'. Track lubricating apparatus compris ing main rails, flanged wheels movable over said main rails, a guard-rail located adjacent to one of said main rails in position to engage the flanges of successive wheels and direct the flanges of each pair of wheels away from one main rail and closer to the opposite main rail, a lubricant reservoir having a body of lubricant therein under pressure, a metering pump adapted to be supplied with lubricant from said reservoir and to cut off the lubricant supply from said reservoir while said pump is'being actuated, a lubricantdischarge conduit leading from said pump adapted to discharge lubricant into the space between said main rail and the wheel flange spaced therefrom and in position to contact with the throat portion of said spaced wheel flange, and means to intermittently actuate said pump.

12. Track lubricating apparatus comprising main rails, flanged wheels movable over said main rails, a guard-rail located adjacent to one of -said main rails in position to engage the' flanges of successive wheels and direct the H nges of each .pair of wheels away from one mainrai'l and closer to the oppo-' site mainrail, a lubricant reservoir having a body of lubricant therein under pressure, a metering pump adapted to be supplied with lubricant from said reservoir andlto' cut off the lubricant from said reservoir while said pump is being actuated, a lubricant discharge conduit leading from' said pump to intermittently actuate said pump.

13. Track lubricating apparatus comprising main rails, flanged wheels movable over sald main rails, a uard-rail located adjacent to one of said main rails in position to engage the flanges of successive wheels and direct the flanges of each pair of wheels away from onesmain rail and closer to the opposite main rail, a lubricant reservoir, a metering pump adapted to be supplied with lubricant from said reservoir and to cut off the lubricant supply from said reservoir while said pump is being actuated, a lubricant channel in position to hold a relatively long and narrow body of lubricant in position to contact with the throat portion of the wheel flange spaced from said main rail, a lubricant discharge conduit from said pump to said lubricant channel, and means to intermittently actuate said pump.

14. Track lubricating apparatus comprising main rails, flanged wheels movable over said rails, means to engage said wheels and force said wheels in pairs endwise of the axis of rotation of said wheels and direct the flanges of each pair of wheels away from one main rail and closer to the opposite main rail, a member mounted stationarily along the side of one of said main rails and interposed between the head of said main rail and the wheel flange spaced therefrom, said stationarily mounted member being provided at its upper edge with a lubricant exit port adapted to discharge lubricant in position to contact with the throat) of said spaced wheel flange, a lubricant supply reservoir, a pump adapted to be supplied with lubricant from said reservoir and to feed the lubricant from said reservoir to said lubricant discharge port, and means to intermittently actuate said pump.

15. Track lubricating apparatus comprising in combination with main rails and flanged wheels movable over said rails in pairs, a guard rail adjacent to one of said main rails in position to engage a wheel flange of each successive pair of wheels and to direct said wheel flanges in pairs axially thereof away from one main rail and closer to the other main rail, and an intermittently actuated lubricant feeding member having a conduit leading to said guard rail and adapted to feed lubricant intermittently into position between the face of said guard rail and the face of the wheel flange engaging said guard rail, whereby the inner face of the flange and the edge of the guard rail contacting therewith are supplied with lubricant.

. 16. Track lubricating apparatus comprising in combination with main rails and flanged wheels movable over said rails in pairs, a guard rail adjacent to one of said main rails in position to engage a wheel flange of each successive pair of wheels and to direct said wheel flanges in pairs axially thereof away from one main rail and closer to the other main rail, and a lubricant feeding member operable by the passage of wheels over said main rails and having a lubricant conduit leading from said lubricant feeding member into position to discharge lubricant between the face of said guard rail and the face of the wheel flange engaging said guard rail, whereby the inner face of the flange and the edge of the guard rail contacting therewith are supplied with lubricant.

17. Track lubricating apparatus comprising in combination with a railway track system, a lubricant storage reservoir, a metering pump adapted to receive its supply of lubricant through a lubricant conduit from said reservoir and to cut off the pump lubricant supply during the period that the pump is being operated, a lubricant discharge from said pump adapted to discharge lubricant in position to contact with the .wheel flan es of the rolling stock, means to intermittent y actuate said pump and pneumatic means to feed said lubricant from the lubricant storage reservoir to said lubricant pump.

18. Track lubricating apparatus compris= ing in combination with a railway track system, a lubricant storage reservoir, a metering pump adapted to receive its supply of lubricant through a lubricant conduit from said reservoir and to cut off the pump lubricant supply during the period that the pump is being operated, a lubricant discharge from said pump adapted to discharge lubricant in osition tokcontact with the wheel flanges of t e rolling stock, means operated by the rolling stock passing over said track to intermittently actuate said pump and pneumatic means to feed said lubricant from said lubricant storage reservoir to said lubricant pump. 19. Track lubricating apparatus comprising a railway track, a guard rail to engage the wheel flanges to position said wheel flanges away from the edge of the track for the purpose of applying a lubricant to the throat portion of the flanges, a lubricant pump adapted to be automatically actuated intermittently by the passage of the car wheels along said track, a lubricant storage reservoir, a lubricant supply conduit leading from said lubricant storage reservoir to said lubricant pump, and pneumatic means to feedthe JOHN T. MCGARRY. 

